How to lure them to read a chapter of your memoir

Kia ora 👋🏼

Back in my journalism days I often found that the first paragraph of a news article was the hardest to write, because I knew it was the most important.

In those first few sentences I needed to clarify the key angle of my story, in a way that inspired people to keep reading.

Before I started writing I needed to understand the heart of my story, and it needed to be newsworthy.

The same applies to writing your memoir.

If you’re going to write a chapter in your memoir, it needs a clear, interesting angle.

One of my memoir students started a chapter about her arrival in my hometown Tākaka with a moment where she and her husband were driving down the main street and had to stop, because two men were embracing lovingly in the middle of the road. Traffic was banking up on both sides, but the men didn’t care.

She could have just written: We arrived in Tākaka in May 1998 and toured around, exploring the beaches. I’m glad she led with this interesting scene. I think I know at least one of those men 🤔

As a beloved photography teacher used to say to me ‘capture the ordinary in an extraordinary way.’ How can you start your chapters, or new subjects in unexpected ways?

And most importantly, keep writing, for yourself, and for future generations.

Charlotte x

PS this was one of the subjects we talked about at a monthly online meeting for students of my course Write Your Memoir. Next month, March 20, we’ll dive into the subject: ‘When you feel like giving up.’ To join in time for that, enrol via this link.